State-Approved Alternative Teacher Certification Programs

The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) continuously
strives to assist school districts in their efforts to promote,
recruit and retain a highly effective and diverse workforce. W.Va.
Code §18A-3-1 (effective June 12, 2015) has created the
opportunities below for school districts to recruit individuals who
hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and meet the eligibility criteria
to fill teacher vacancies in areas of critical need and shortage.
Opportunities for participating in West Virginia’s former
alternative certification program known as “the Transition to
Teaching program” are no longer available.

Individuals who would
like to participate in a state-approved alternative certification
program must contact a school district that has an approved program
for eligibility details and receive an offer of employment for a
vacancy in an identified area of critical need and shortage.
Candidates must also meet requirements to hold an Alternative
Teaching Certificate (see the AC frequently asked questions document for state minimal eligibility criteria). Upon successful completion of a state-approved
alternative certification program, applicants would be eligible to
apply for an Initial Provisional Teaching Certificate.

At this time, the following alternative certification programs are approved by the WVBE:

(Select a school district to access its homepage and contact information.)

Candidates who have communicated with a school district for program details and have additional
questions about the process of applying for an Alternative Teaching Certificate may contact
Kelly Mordecki at kmordecki@k12.wv.us.

School districts seeking information about alternative certification programs may contact
Robert Mellace at rmellace@k12.wv.us.